In a first-of-its-kind course in the country, the University of Mumbai launched the Master of Science (MSc) in Finance on Monday.
The course, which is the brainchild of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will be offered at the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Churchgate from this academic year itself.
According to University officials present at the launch, the course will be of international standards as the course content and curriculum has been designed after taking references from the syllabus of London School of Economics, University of Florida and a few other institutes in France.
The idea, originally mooted by the PM in 2011, is a part of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Central government initiative to make Mumbai an international finance centre.
The University had first received a proposal letter from the UGC in September 2011, which was placed and approved by the academic council thereafter. Identifying the institute to carry out the market survey, research and finally conduct the course, however, took some time. “Faculty members of JBIMS and industry experts conducted a market survey and designed the curriculum. The course will initially be offered only at JBIMS and student intake will be limited to 30 candidates who will be enrolled after an entrance test,” said an MU spokesperson. “We are aiming at producing finance professionals having internationally benchmarked skills and capabilities in financial risk management, asset management, banking and non-banking financial institutions management and financial regulations etc,” said Dr Naresh Chandra, pro vice-chancellor of MU.
Kavita Laghate, in-charge director of JBIMS said, “The course has been designed considering the market needs. Hence, we are receiving huge finance industry participation in conducting the course.”